With the league phase done and dusted, the Pakistan Super League reaches the business end of the tournament with the play-offs beginning on Sunday.
Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi are the four teams vying for glory as the competition moves to Dubai and then to Lahore ahead of the finale in Karachi on March 25.
Here, we examine the four sides remaining in the third edition of the PSL.
LEAGUE STAGE: FIRST
RECORD: Played 10, Won 7, Lost 3
WHY THEY CAN WIN: After a poor start to 2018, Dean Jones’ side are beginning to find the form that won them the 2016 edition. The Australian himself has said “it’s not how you start the tournament but how you finish it” and his players are proving that. After two losses in three games, Islamabad bounced back in style with six straight wins which saw them cement top spot. In Faheem Ashraf, they possess the top wicket-taker with 16 scalps while JP Duminy, who is set to travel to Pakistan, is in fine form with two half-centuries in four games.
WHY THEY CAN’T WIN: Middle-order will have to step up. Easily lost their final league game against Karachi by seven wickets.
LEAGUE STAGE: SECOND
RECORD: P 10, W 5, L 4, T1
WHY THEY CAN WIN: When a result was needed to confirm their spot in the play-offs, Karachi Kings did exactly that and that too over league leaders Islamabad. Even without Eoin Morgan, who will not travel to Pakistan should they advance after Sunday’s match, Karachi have been impressive with batsmen Joe Denly, Babar Azam and Colin Ingram stepping up. Usman Khan has taken 14 wickets and in Mickey Arthur they have a highly experienced coach.
WHY THEY CAN’T WIN: If Imad Wasim doesn’t return from his injury, it will be down to Shahid Afridi to come up with the goods in the spin department. While their pace attack looks strong, spin will be equally important. Mentality will also be key and cannot afford a slip-up like the way they threw away a winning position in their Super Over defeat to Lahore Qalandars.
LEAGUE STAGE: THIRD
RECORD: P 10, W 5, L 5
WHY THEY CAN WIN: As defending champions, know what it takes to win. Kamran Akmal tops the run table with 347 including a ton and fifty in his last two matches. Wahab Riaz has been effective with the ball and is joint-second highest wicket-taker so far (14).
Have a full-strength squad with foreign players Darren Sammy, Liam Dawson, Andre Fletcher, Riki Wessels and Dwayne Smith all set to travel to Pakistan.
WHY THEY CAN’T WIN: Have not been consistent. But can take confidence from the fact they have beaten the other three teams this year.
LEAGUE STAGE: FOURTH
RECORD: P 10, W 5, L 5
WHY THEY CAN WIN: Have made it to the final so know what needs to be done when the pressure is on.However, will need a remarkable effort from captain Sarfraz Ahmed and bowlers Rahat Ali and Anwar Ali.
WHY THEY CAN’T WIN: Will once again witness an exodus of key players. Kevin Pietersen and Jason Roy will not travel while there’s a question mark over their top-scorer Shane Watson and Rilee Rossouw.